Browns: Evan Moore's playing time has diminished

Moore is supposed to be a primary weapon for Colt McCoy in the red zone, yet the Browns tall and lean tight end was on the field only eight snaps against the Colts and eight against the Dolphins last week. That isn't much action for a player who last month signed a new contract for $3 million a year through 2013.

Moore isn't happy about it, but he won't complain until he is prodded long enough, as he was in the locker room Wednesday.

"I'm a very, very competitive guy," Moore said. "From a competitive standpoint, I'd probably say (he wants more playing time) regardless how the game goes, but it's not my job to make those calls. I just do everything I can on the plays I'm in there and try to get more the following week."

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Fellow tight end Ben Watson disrupted the interview briefly by posing as a reporter and asking Moore what he thought about Ben Watson. Moore joked by saying Watson lacks discipline (Watson was the cause of a 15-yard celebration penalty last week) but that Watson is the best looking reporter in the locker room. Watson knew the subject of the Moore interview.

In the end, Watson and Moore compete for playing time. They can be on the field together, depending on the play chosen by head coach/offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, but often it is one or the other.

During training camp Shurmur described Watson as the best combination receiver/blocker among the tight ends. One theory about not seeing more Moore is Alex Smith, a true blocking tight end, is getting more playing time than he might otherwise because the Browns have to go with backups at right tackle until Tony Pashos can play, which might happen starting Sunday when the Browns host the Titans. But Shurmur said Moore does not have to improve blocking to earn more playing time.

Moore described himself as an "adequate" blocker.

"Evan is a good player and we will put him out there," Shurmur said. "He was in the game. We targeted him. You want to play two running backs. You only get five skilled players at a time and a quarterback and five linemen, so you have to try to balance it.

"If we're doing the right things and gain yards, then we'll get more plays and everybody will get their looks. Evan has got us in the end zone. Evan has made big plays. It's important we use him."

Moore was targeted three times and caught two passes last week. He caught a quick pass over the middle from Colt McCoy on the play before the touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with 43 seconds left to tie the score 16-16.

Moore has six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Watson and Peyton Hillis, No. 1 (68) and No. 2 (61) in receptions last season, lead the Browns in receptions again with 10 catches each. More perplexing for Moore than his receiving total is being on the field only once every seven plays last week (58 snaps) and once every 8.5 plays (67 snaps) in Indianapolis. The Browns won both games, which is why Moore isn't raising a bigger fuss.

"There's only so much I can control," Moore said. "I want to be out there every play. I'm sure everybody feels the same way that's not out there every play.

"We're 2-1, which is most important. We still have 13 games left. A lot can happen between now and the last game of the season. I'm going to focus on them instead of the last three."

Moore has talked one-on-one with coaches about his situation, but he wants to keep that between himself and Shurmur and his position coach, Steve Hagan.